Understanding Supplemental Security Income Documents You May Need When You Apply -- 2014 Edition

DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED WHEN YOU APPLY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

You may not need all of the following documents. Sometimes one document can substitute for another. The lists are not all–inclusive.
We will tell you what you need and what other documents are acceptable. We may be able to help you get them if you are having trouble.

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR NUMBER

You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. If you need one, a number will be assigned at the time Social Security entitles you to SSI benefits.

PROOF OF AGE

a public birth record recorded before age 5; or

a religious birth record recorded before age 5; or

other documents showing your age or date of birth.

If you already proved your age when you applied for Social Security benefits, you do not need to prove it again for SSI.

CITIZENSHIP OR ALIEN STATUS RECORD

If you are a citizen, examples of documents you may need are:

birth certificate showing you were born in the United States; or

religious record of birth or baptism showing your place of birth in the United States; or

naturalization certificate; or

U.S. passport or passport card; or

certificate of citizenship.

If you are an alien, examples of documents you may need are:

a current immigration document; for example, an I-551 (Permanent Resident Card); or

I–94 (Arrival/Departure Record).

If you are an alien who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may need your military discharge paper (form DD–214).

PROOF OF INCOME

If you have income, you may need to provide the following:

Earned Income – payroll stubs, or if self–employed, a tax return for the last tax year;

Unearned Income – any records you have (for example, award letters, bank statements, court orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment; and

PROOF OF LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

names, dates of births, medical assistance cards or Social Security numbers for all household members

deed or property tax bill

information about household costs for rent, mortgage, food, and utilities.

MEDICAL SOURCES (IF YOU ARE FILING AS BLIND OR DISABLED)

medical reports, if you have them;

names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and other providers of medical services to you and the approximate dates you were treated;

names of the prescription and non-prescription medications that you take.

WORK HISTORY

job titles;

type of business;

names of employers;

dates worked;

hours worked per day and hours worked per week;

days worked per week, and rates of pay for work you did in the 15 years before
you became unable to work because of your illnesses, injuries, or conditions;

description of job duties for the type of work you performed.

OTHER SOURCES

If you are applying as a disabled child, or on behalf of a disabled child, we need the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people (for example, teachers or caregivers) who can provide information about how the child’s medical condition affects his or her daily activities. Also, if the child has an individualized education plan (IEP) at his or her school, it is helpful to submit a copy of the plan.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Do not wait to apply. If you think you may be eligible for SSI, you should contact us right away. The earliest we will pay SSI is the month after the filing date of your application, or the month after you first meet all the eligibility requirements, whichever is later. We may use the date you contact us as the filing date. If you do not have all of the things we need, we will give you time to provide them.

We need to see the original documents. If you do not have an original document, we can accept a certified copy from the office that issued the original document. We do not accept photocopies. We will return the original documents to you.

Try to keep a copy of things you send us. Keep track of the dates you send information to us, or talk to us, as well as the name of the Social Security employee with whom you spoke.

Important Information:

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